The third rule is to remember that “Board members and volunteers are valuable commodities; treat them well and they will make an organization come alive.”Leadership not only sets the tone and direction, but must engage the organization: “Without it, the organization drifts,” losing focus, enthusiasm and, subsequently, donors, said Ralston.Committee work can be fun and is vital for the board and trustees, he added.Rule six is that good staff will “leverage the organization in ways beyond measure,” Ralston noted, and “development is not just asking for money; donor relations is key,” to a successful partnership.“Board governance is crucial. Building board members is vital to the future,” Ralston stressed.Endowment is destiny and planned giving not “just for the old folks. . .get ready for the future, everyone else is,” and the coming generation of donors is different, requiring different approaches and a new way of thinking, Ralston said. “. . people now want to give more to education; the focus is they want to change lives and not support a charity.”Overall, “I’ve been lucky enough to work with these organizations that apply the ten rules of effective leadership. . .and I’ve seen some where these qualities were lacking,” leading to a negative bottom line.
Rotary: 10 rules of effective leadership offered by education league leader
November 28, 2001
Santa Paula News
Ten rules of effective leadership were offered at a recent meeting of the Santa Paula Rotary by the executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesTen rules of effective leadership were offered at a recent meeting of the Santa Paula Rotary by the executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation.Hugh J. Ralston said the foundation has awarded 5,000 scholarships worth about $6 million to deserving students, including 29 students who now attend St. Sebastian School in Santa Paula.On a personal noted, Ralston said his grandfather started his career in 1918 with Limoneira Co. in Santa Paula, and “I’m delighted to be here. . .”Non-profits have much to consider in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks: although $850 million has been raised for relief efforts giving will be impacted to other charities.Ralston has created a list of the ten rules of effective leadership in non-profit organizations and told Rotarians the first rule is to “understand your mission, and to provide effective leadership it’s important to do something you love or believe in.”The organization must stand for something, “a cause, a solution, an ideal, and the leadership must be able to articulate its mission and vision, even if awakened at 3 a.m.,” Ralston said.
